Fetish Figure
A Fon or Benin, West Africa, personal shrine fetish depicting two figures with well carved, expressive faces, tightly bound back to back with old string. A ritual specialist would have prescribed the contents of libations poured over these objects, the ingredients designed for the purpose invoked. The sculpture displays iron emblems, and cowrie shells, adding to its magic power.
While only a metaphor, and from a different culture’s perspective, the biblical expression “binding of evil” comes to our western mind.
Early to mid 20th Century.
Ex. Old New York collection, acquired in Paris during the 1990’s;
Ex. Bruce Frank, New York.
Height: 7 ¼ in // 18.4 cm
A Fon or Benin, West Africa, personal shrine fetish depicting two figures with well carved, expressive faces, tightly bound back to back with old string. A ritual specialist would have prescribed the contents of libations poured over these objects, the ingredients designed for the purpose invoked. The sculpture displays iron emblems, and cowrie shells, adding to its magic power.
While only a metaphor, and from a different culture’s perspective, the biblical expression “binding of evil” comes to our western mind.
Early to mid 20th Century.
Ex. Old New York collection, acquired in Paris during the 1990’s;
Ex. Bruce Frank, New York.
Height: 7 ¼ in // 18.4 cm
A Fon or Benin, West Africa, personal shrine fetish depicting two figures with well carved, expressive faces, tightly bound back to back with old string. A ritual specialist would have prescribed the contents of libations poured over these objects, the ingredients designed for the purpose invoked. The sculpture displays iron emblems, and cowrie shells, adding to its magic power.
While only a metaphor, and from a different culture’s perspective, the biblical expression “binding of evil” comes to our western mind.
Early to mid 20th Century.
Ex. Old New York collection, acquired in Paris during the 1990’s;
Ex. Bruce Frank, New York.
Height: 7 ¼ in // 18.4 cm